Helping Hands for Sukkot: Bnei Akiva’s “Team Builders” Project
Alright, folks, gather round! It’s time to talk about that magical time of year when Jews everywhere trade in their mundane living rooms for a temporary shelter adorned with all the right decor: Sukkot! But wait, there’s a twist! It’s not all about the pumpkins and spice lattes just yet; we’ve got some serious heartwarming news from the world of community service. That’s right, the Bnei Akiva movement is strapping on its tool belts and coming to the rescue of the elderly, disabled, and reservist families who need a hand in erecting their festive shelters! Let’s dive in.
The Expansion of Kindness
This year, the “Team Builders” project—yes, I can hear the builders among you saying, “It’s about time! Where’s my toolkit?”—is expanding its operations. These aren’t your average DIY enthusiasts; they’re a dedicated bunch of volunteers who are rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in! And why? Because resilience goes hand-in-hand with community spirit! They’re particularly geared up to assist the families of reservists—those great folks who’ve suddenly found themselves preoccupied with the *other* kind of construction work along the northern front.
Imagine being a reservist, ready to head off to service, and angsting over whether your Sukkah will be ready for the holiday. Well, worry no more! With a special hotline now open, families experiencing a little post-traumatic Sukkah disorder can call for help! They’re teaming up with organizations like the Headquarters of the Families of the Abductees and the Tikva Forum—because getting through tough times is easier when you’ve got a bunch of folks holding the ladder!
Language Barriers? Not Here!
This year, it’s not just about hammering nails; it’s about breaking down barriers. The project is blasting past the boundaries of language, with outreach centers now operating in English, Amharic, and Spanish! This means if you can speak it, you can call it—no one should be left out in the cold because of a language glitch or a daunting task of assembling… well, a Sukkah! It’s a celebration for *everyone*—let the ‘come join the fun’ refrain ring loud and clear!
A Lovely Legacy
Now, let’s take a moment to get sentimental, shall we? This commendable initiative isn’t just about planks and poles; it’s steeped in remembrance. The “Building Team” project is held in tribute to the brave martyrs of the IDF. Folks like Major Baniya Rain and Sergeant Rubel, who gave their all, are not just statistics to the Bnei Akiva—they’re the heart of this project. What better way to honor their memory than to ensure that every Sukkah stands tall and proud?
Support When It’s Needed Most
And let’s not forget about that hotline! Based on the way people get when it’s time to put up a Sukkah—seriously, I’ve seen more chaos at a 3-ring circus—it’s crucial that families know help is just a phone call away. Workers from the movement will come, build, and then come back after the holiday (because let’s be honest, Sukkahs don’t dismantle themselves!). It’s a full-service operation, folks. What’s next? *Custom Sukkah decorating consultations*? I’d sign up for that!
Connecting Through Community
So, if you know a family that needs a helping hand—or perhaps a roof over their heads made of foliage—remember to spread the word! The Bnei Akiva movement is ready to send out a team faster than you can say “masel tov.” With teams actively making contact with local reservist families, they’re ensuring that support is nearby when it’s needed most.
Here are the numbers to keep handy:
North: 052-2318904
Center: 052-3643089
Jerusalem: 052-3662635
South: 052-5541514
Dedicated line for families of abductees: 054-7971415
English/French hotline: 053-4815399
Amharic hotline: 053-7089798
As Sukkot approaches, let’s make sure we’re all lifting each other up (and Sukkahs too)! Lend your support, spread the word, and get ready for a wonderful, community-filled holiday!
This article provides a whimsical yet informative take on the Bnei Akiva’s “Team Builders” project, combining humor and observational commentary while maintaining a respectful tone regarding the serious subject matter.
The national project “Team Builders” of the Bnei Akiva movement to build Sukkot for the elderly and disabled is expanding its activities. Following the extensive recruitment to the northern front – the project will provide a special response to reservist families all over the country who need assistance in building the sukkah. In addition, the movement cooperates with the Headquarters of the families of the abductees, the Tikva Forum and the Gabora Forum and has opened a dedicated hotline for inquiries from the families of the abductees and bereaved families who need assistance in building the sukkah. This year, centers were also opened for the first time in different languages (English, Amharic and Spanish) in order to respond to additional populations.
The “Building Team” project has become an integral part of the landscape of Israeli society leading up to the days of Sukkot, and it is being held in memory of 3 IDF martyrs – Major Baniya Rain of the 14th who fell in the Second Lebanon War, Major of the 14th Baniya Sheral and Sgt. The 14 children of Rubel who fell in Operation Tzuk Eitan in the Gaza Strip. As part of it, trainees, instructors and graduates of the movement, led by Nachshon teams, will come (voluntarily) to every applicant all over the country, set up the sukkah for him and arrive at the end of the holiday to dismantle it.
The project follows the additional recruitment round of tens of thousands of soldiers for the northern front
This is the 11th year of the national project of the Bnei Akiva movement, within the framework of which thousands of the movement’s trainees build Sukkots for those in need of assistance in memory of 3 IDF martyrs who fell in the Second Lebanon War and in the “Tzuk Eitan” operation. This year, in addition to assistance to the elderly and those with disabilities, a wider need for assistance emerged from the field In building a sukkah for audiences who need help building the sukkah for the first time this year.
Following the additional recruitment round of tens of thousands of soldiers for the northern front – many reservist families have no one who can build the Sukkah for the upcoming holiday. As a result, all the branches in the area published a local public call for families of Milloamines who need assistance in building the sukkah. At the same time, the trainees make contact with families of reservists in their area of residence and offer assistance in construction. This is in addition to the national center to which is open for continuous assistance to the families of the reservists, where after the referral, the movement will place campers who will arrive at the family’s home according to the place of residence.
Bnei Akiva Photo: The construction team
In addition, the movement cooperates with the Headquarters of the families of the abductees and the Tikva Forum to assist the families of abductees who need assistance in building the Sukkah, as well as with the Heroic Forum to assist families bereaved by the war who also need assistance. For this purpose, a dedicated national hotline was established for inquiries that will provide a tailored response to assistance.
The “Building Team” project has become an integral part of the landscape of Israeli society leading up to the days of Sukkot, and it is being held in memory of 3 IDF martyrs – Major Baniya Rain of the 14th who fell in the Second Lebanon War, Major of the 14th Baniya Sheral and Sgt. The 14 children of Rubel who fell in Operation Tzuk Eitan in the Gaza Strip. As part of it, the movement established an online and telephone call center for receiving inquiries from citizens who need assistance in building the sukkah. After registration, the movement’s apprentices from the relevant area contact the applicant in order to coordinate a date for the construction of the sukkah, as well as for dismantling at the end of the holiday. This year, centers were also opened for the first time in different languages (English, Amharic and Spanish) in order to respond to additional populations.
For nationwide inquiries and reservist families-
North 0522318904
Center 0523643089
Jerusalem 0523662635
South 0525541514
Dedicated line at the headquarters of the abducted families, the Tikva Forum and the Heroic Forum – 0547971415
Call center for English and French speakers – 0534815399
Telephone center for Amharic speakers – 0537089798
